Preparation of tetrafluoroethylene fine powder

ABSTRACT

A bromate/bisulfite redox initiator system has been found useful for polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene to make resins of good stretch capability.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a process for preparing tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) fine powder resins that have good stretch performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) fine powder resins are non-melt-fabricable and are commonly processed by paste extrusion wherein the powder is mixed with a lubricant and is then processed through a paste extruder to obtain films, tubes, tapes, protective coating on wire and the like.

Such paste extruded films, tubes and tapes can be rapidly stretched in unsintered form to form a strong material that is porous to water vapor but not to liquid water. Such a material is useful in providing "breathable" fabric material for garments, tenting, separatory membranes and the like. Many resins useful in making such paste extruded stretched films exhibit a sensitivity to lubricant loading levels and to stretch rates that necessitate careful control over the loading level used in order to ensure a good stretched product.

It is desirable to improve on these known resins by providing improved TFE fine powder resins that are not as sensitive to lubricant loading levels and which have improved stretchability. This invention is directed to preparation of such resins by using an initiator system not heretofore used for this purpose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a process for preparing tetrafluoroethylene resins by polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene, and, optionally, a small amount of at least one copolymerizable fluorinated ethylenically unsaturated comonomer, in an aqueous medium in the presence of a substantially non-telogenic anionic surfactant present in an amount which maintains colloidal particles of polymerization product in dispersed form, said process being carried out by contacting tetrafluoroethylene and, optionally, said comonomer, in the presence of at least one polymerization initiator consisting of an xBrO₃ /yHSO₃ redox couple, where x and y are hydrogen, ammonium, alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal ions, and wherein either the bromate or the bisulfite is added as precharge and the other added intermittently or continuously during the polymerization and where the last addition occurs before the end point so that the reaction slows down and the total reaction time is at least 40%, preferably 100%, longer in comparison with a reaction which does not slow down.

This process produces an aqueous dispersion of the resins of this invention. These dispersions are themselves useful for coating metals and fabrics. On coagulation, the resins are obtained in powder form.

The resins have an unusual insensitivity to lubricant loading levels, have high stress relaxation times (dwell times), and can be stretched at low stretch rates to make porous articles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The polytetrafluoroethylene resins made by the process of this invention are referred to by those skilled in the art as tetrafluoroethylene fine powder resins. The term "fine powder" has attained a special meaning in the art. It means that the resin has been prepared by the "aqueous dispersion polymerization" process. In this process sufficient dispersing agent is employed and agitation is mild in order to produce small colloidal size particles dispersed in the aqueous reaction medium. Precipitation (i.e., coagulation) of the resin particles is avoided during the polymerization.

Tetrafluoroethylene may be polymerized alone in the process of this invention to obtain a fine powder homopolymer resin of the invention. In addition, tetrafluoroethylene may be copolymerized with copolymerizable fluorinated ethylenically unsaturated comonomer, provided the amount of comonomer is not sufficient to cause the resulting polymer to become melt-fabricable or to change the characteristics of the resins of this invention.

Representative copolymerizable fluorinated ethylenically unsaturated comonomers are represented by the formulas ##STR1## wherein R₁ is --R_(f), --R_(f) '--X, --O--R_(f) or --O--R_(f) '--X in which --R_(f) is a perfluoroalkyl radical of 1-10 carbon atoms, --R_(f) '-- is a linear perfluoroalkylene diradical of 1-10 carbon atoms in which the attaching valences are at each end of the linear chain, and X is H or Cl; R₂ is --R_(f), F or --R_(f) '--X; and R₃ is H or F. A dioxole may also be employed, of the formula ##STR2## where Y is ##STR3## and X and X' are F or Cl and Z and Z' are each alkyl or fluorinated alkyl of 1-6 carbons.

Representative copolymerizable fluorinated ethylenically unsaturated comonomers include hexafluoropropylene, perfluorohexene-1, perfluorononene-1, perfluoro(methyl vinyl ether), perfluoro(n-propyl vinyl ether), perfluoro(n-heptyl vinyl ether), perfluoromethyl ethylene, perfluorobutyl ethylene, ω-hydroperfluoropentene-1, 3-hydroperfluoro(propyl vinyl ether), and the like, or mixtures thereof such as a mixture of hexafluoropropylene and perfluoro(propyl vinyl ether). Preferably the comonomers are selected from perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ethers) of the formula R_(f) --O--CF═CF₂ ; or perfluoro(terminally unsaturated olefins) of the formula R_(f) --CF═CF₂ ; or perfluoroalkyl ethylenes of the formula R_(f) --CH═CH₂, wherein R_(f) is perfluoroalkyl of 1-10 carbon atoms.

By the term "non-melt-fabricable" is meant a tetrafluoroethylene polymer whose melt viscosity is so high that the polymer cannot be easily processed by melt fabrication techniques. Generally the higher the molecular weight of the polymer, the higher the melt viscosity. A melt viscosity above which tetrafluoroethylene polymers are non-melt-fabricable is 1×10₉ poises. The melt viscosities of non-melt-fabricable polymers are so high that molecular weights are usually measured indirectly by a procedure which gives the standard specific gravity (SSG) of the resin. The SSG of the resin varies inversely with molecular weight; as the molecular weight increases, the numerical value of the SSG decreases.

The resins produced herein are characterized in that:

(a) The primary particle size is between 0.15 and 0.5 microns;

(b) the specific surface area is greater than 5 m² /g,

(c) the standard specific gravity is less than 2.190,

(d) the rheometric pressure (sometimes referred to as extrusion pressure) is at least 250 kg/cm₂, at a reduction ratio of 400:1,

(e) the uniformity of stretch is at least 75% throughout a lubricant loading range of 4 weight percent which 4 weight percent range is within a lubricant loading level range between 12 and 21 weight percent at a stretch rate of 100%/second,

(f) The uniformity of stretch is at least 75% throughout a stretch rate of between 10 and 100%/second at a lubricant loading level of 17%,

(g) the stress relaxation time is at least 400 seconds measured at 393° C.

In a preferred embodiment, the uniformity of stretch is at least 75% throughout a lubricant loading range of between 17 and 20 wt. % at a stretch rate of 100%/second; and also is at least 75% throughout a stretch rate of between 22% and 100%/second at a lubricant loading of 17 wt. %.

In the process of this invention, tetrafluoroethylene monomer, optionally along with ethylenically unsaturated comonomer, is admixed or contacted with an aqueous medium containing dispersing agent and polymerization initiator. The polymerization temperature and pressure is not critical provided the reaction profile recited above is used. The temperature will be between 65°-100° C. A practical pressure can be between 25-40 kg/cm². The polymerization is ordinarily carried out in a gently stirred autoclave.

The dispersing agents used are anionic and substantially nontelogenic. Commonly employed dispersing agents are fluorinated carboxylates containing 7-20 carbon atoms, such as ammonium perfluorocarboxylates. The amount of dispersing agent present will be sufficient to stabilize the colloidal dispersion. It may be ordinarily between about 1000 ppm and about 5000 ppm based on weight of water employed in the aqueous dispersion. The dispersing agent may be added prior to initiation of polymerization or may be added in increments as described in Punderson U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,099.

If desired, a paraffin wax (i.e., a saturated hydrocarbon having more than 12 carbon atoms) that is liquid at the polymerization temperature may be employed as described in Bankoff U.S. Pat. No. 2,612,484. Usually, the wax is employed in an amount between 0.1%-12% by weight of water in the aqueous dispersion.

Polymerization is effected by mixing the foregoing described ingredients under the conditions specified above. Mixing is ordinarily carried out by mildly agitating the aqueous polymerization mixture. Agitation is controlled to aid in preventing premature coagulation of resin particles produced in the polymerization. Polymerization is ordinarily conducted until the solids level (i.e., polymer content) of the aqueous mixture is between about 15 and 60 percent by weight of the mixture.

By the term "substantially non-telogenic" used in the definition of the dispersing agent is meant that the polymer produced has an SSG (standard specific gravity) substantially the same as the SSG of a polymer produced without the dispersing agent present. SSG is a means of measuring the molecular weight of the polymer produced.

The initiator is a xBrO₃ /yHSO₃ redox couple, where x and y are hydrogen, ammonium, alkali, or alkaline earth metal ions. Preferably the initiator is KBrO₃ /NaHSO₃ redox couple. Either the bromate or the bisulfite is added as precharge and the other added intermittently or continuously. Alternatively, both of the reagents are added intermittently or continuously during the polymerization, and the last addition of either one occurs so that the reaction slows down and the total reaction time is at least 40%, preferably 100%, longer in comparison with a reaction which does not slow down.

The initiator amount added to the polykettle may vary depending on the molecular weight of the product desired. Generally, this amount will be 5-200 ppm (preferably 10-100 ppm) of KBrO₃ and 5-400 ppm (preferably 10-200 ppm) of NaHSO₃, based on aqueous charge.

The reaction is generally carried out in acidic medium. Reagent grade hydrochloric acid may be added for this purpose. Generally, this amount is 25-100 ppm, based on aqueous charge, but more or less of the acid may be added.

On completion of polymerization, the dispersed polymer particles can be coagulated by high speed agitation. The particles can then be collected and dried.

Non-melt fabricable tetrafluoroethylene fine powder resins produced by the process of this invention exhibit excellent stretch performance at elevated temperatures, e.g. 300° C., to result in a stretched material that is strong and breathable but impervious to liquid water. The resins are of high molecular weight, having an SSG of less than 2.190. They have a high rheometer pressure which is at least 250 kg/cm² at a reduction ratio of 400:1. They have a primary particle size between 0.15 and 0.5 micron. By "primary" is meant the size of the colloidal resin particles measured prior to coagulation. The resins also have a specific surface area greater than 5 m² /g.

In addition, the resins of this invention have several unusual stretch features. First, the resins can be paste extruded over a wide range of amount of lubricant additive present. Normally fine powder resins are sensitive to the amount of lubricant present during paste extrusion and as the amount is varied, the properties of the paste extruded product will vary widely. Uniquely, with the resins of this invention, the amount of lubricant can vary widely, e.g. over a loading range of at least 4% within a total range of 12 wt % to 21 wt %, with no significant loss of stretch uniformity and smoothness of surface at a stretch rate of 100%/second. This is an insensitivity to organic lubricant loading levels that is not ordinarily seen in other fine powder resins. Suitable organic lubricants include hexane, heptane, naphtha, toluene, xylene, and kerosene products. In general these lubricants will have a viscosity of at least 0.3 centipoise at 25° C. and will be liquid under extrusion conditions. Preferably they will contain paraffins, naphthenes and aromatics and small amounts of olefin.

In addition, the resins of this invention exhibit an unusual insensitivity to stretch rate. Most fine powder resins exhibit varying stretch performance properties as stretch rates are varied. But surprisingly, when the stretch rate of a resin of this invention was varied between 10% per second and 100% per second, the stretched product exhibited no significant change in stretch uniformity or surface smoothness at a lubricant loading level of 17 wt %. Specifically, the uniformity of stretch was at least 75%. This means that an ink mark made at the center of a paste extruded beading before stretching did not move more than 25% from the center of the stretched product.

In addition, the stress relaxation times of the resins of this invention are significantly greater than for most other fine powder resins.

The resins of this invention are useful in any of the paste extrusion applications in which known tetrafluoroethylene fine powder resins are useful.

TEST PROCEDURES (1) Raw Dispersion (Primary) Particle Size (Avg)

RDPS was determined from the absorbance (scattering) of a dilute aqueous sample at 546 millimicrons using a Beckman DU spectrophotometer and is based on the principle that the turbidity of the dispersion increases with increasing particle size, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,802.

(2) Standard Specific Gravity (SSG)

SSG was measured by water displacement of a standard molded test specimen in accordance with ASTM D1457-69. The standard molded part was formed by preforming 12.0 g of the powder in a 2.86 cm diameter die at a pressure of 352 kg/cm², followed by the sintering cycle of the preform of heating from 300° C. to 380° C. at 2° C./min, holding at 380° C. for 30 min, cooling to 295° C. at 1° C./min and holding at this temperature for 25 minutes, after which the specimen is cooled to 23° C. and tested for specific gravity.

(3) Rheometer Pressure

Rheometer pressure was measured in accordance with ASTM D1457-81A, section 12.8, except that the resin was not sieved before mixing with the kerosene lubricant and the preform was made in a 26 mm diameter extension tube at 300 psi.

(4) Specific Surface Area (SSA)

SSA was measured by a "Flowsorb" surface area analyzer, Model 2300, sold by Micromeritics Corp. It works on the principle that the quantity of gas (N₂) adsorbed on the surface of a sample is directly proportional to its surface area.

(5) Stretch Test

a. Preparation of Test Specimen

A sample of the resin was screened through a 2000 micrometer sieve. One hundred grams of this resin was admixed with the desired amount of Isopar K lubricant at room temperature by shaking in a glass jar of 6 cm inside diameter and rolling for 4 min. at 64 rpm. It was then preformed at room temperature in a tube 26 mm diameter×23 cm long at 400 psi. The preform was then paste extruded at room temperature through an orifice 2.4 mm in diameter into a uniform beading. Land length of the orifice was 5 mm. The extrusion speed was 84 cm/min. The angle of die was 30°. The beading was dried at 190° C. for 20 minutes.

b. Stretch Test

A beading of resin was cut and clamped at each end, leaving a space of 50 mm between clamps, and heated to 300° C. in a circulating air oven. The clamps were then moved apart at the desired rate to the desired length. The stretched specimen was examined for uniformity of stretch, uniform appearance and surface roughness. The % uniformity was calculated as follows: ##EQU1##

(6) Stress Relaxation Time

The specimen for the relaxation time measurement was made by stretching a beading, as in Stretch Test, at 1000% per second and 2400% total stretch. Stress relaxation time is the time it takes for this specimen to break when heated at 393° C. in the extended condition. For a short period of time when the specimen is placed into the oven, the temperature drops somewhat, e.g., to 375° C. and it takes about one minute for the oven to return to 393° C. Stress relaxation time is the time starting from placement of the test specimen into the oven.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1

A 36-liter polykettle was charged with 19.5 kg of demineralized water, 600 g paraffin wax, 13 g ammonium perfluorooctanoate (C-8) dispersing agent, 2.5 g succinic acid 1.0 g potassium bromate, and 2 ml reagent grade hydrochloric acid. The contents of the polykettle were heated to 70° C., evacuated of air, and TFE purged. The contents of the polykettle were agitated at 46 RPM. The temperature was increased to 85° C. Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) was then added to the polykettle until the pressure was 2.75×10⁶ Pa. Sodium bisulfite solution (4.0 g/l) was added at 10 ml/min until 4.55 kg TFE had reacted. The total bisulfite added was 1.0 g. TFE was added to maintain the pressure at about 2.75×10⁶ Pa at all times. After 0.9 kg TFE had reacted, a solution of 45 g C-8 in 1000 ml aqueous solution was pumped in at 50 ml/min. No bisulfite was added after 32% of the TFE had been polymerized. The reaction began to slow down after about 6.9 kg TFE had reacted. The reaction was 140% longer in time than if the reaction had not slowed down. After 14.1 kg TFE had reacted, the feed was stopped and the polykettle was vented, evacuated, and purged with N₂. The contents were cooled and discharged from the polykettle. The supernatant wax was removed. The dispersion was diluted to 15% solids and coagulated in the presence of ammonium carbonate under high agitation conditions. The coagulated fine powder was separated and dried at 150°-160° C. for three days.

The polymer properties are given in Tables 1 and 2. The total reaction time from TFE pressure up to feed off was 136 min. This Example shows that excellent stretch characteristics of the resin are realized from the bromate/bisulfite initiator when added in the manner shown.

EXAMPLE 2

Example 1 was repeated, except that:

the water amount was 20.5 g

the succinic acid amount was 10 g

the hydrochloric acid amount was 1 ml

the agitation rate was 60 rpm

the sodium bisulfite solution was added until 2.27 kg TFE had reacted. The total bisulfite added was 0.32 g. No bisulfite was added after 26% of the TFE had been polymerized.

a total of 8.8 kg TFE was reacted. The reaction was 290% longer in time than if the reaction had not slowed down.

The polymer properties are given in Tables 1 and 2. The total reaction time was 127 minutes. The resin had excellent stretch performance.

EXAMPLE 3

Example 1 was repeated, except that:

the polymerization temperature was 80° C.

no potassium bromate was precharged

4.0 g sodium bisulfite was precharged

the hydrochloric acid amount was 1 ml

after TFE pressure up, a solution of potassium bromate (4.8 g/l) was added at 10 ml/min until 1.36 kg TFE had reacted. The total bromate added was 0.29 g. No bromate was added after 16% of the TFE had been polymerized.

a total of 8.7 kg TFE was reacted

The reaction was 207% longer in time than if the reaction had not slowed down.

The polymer properties are given in Tables 1 and 2. The total reaction time was 176 minutes. The resin had excellent stretch performance.

Comparative Run A

Example 1 was repeated, except that:

the sodium bisulfite solution was added until 9.1 kg TFE had reacted. The total bisulfite added was 1.64 g. No bisulfite was added after 65% of the TFE had been polymerized.

total TFE reacted was 14.1 kg.

The reaction was 8% longer in time than if the reaction had not slowed down.

The polymer properties are given in Tables 1 and 2. The total reaction time was 58 minutes. The product had poor stretch performance.

This Example shows that if the reaction is not slowed down according to the invention, the product stretch performance is inferior.

Comparative Run B

Example 3 was repeated, except that:

the potassium bromate solution was added until 2.7 Kg TFE had polymerized. The total bromate added was 0.58 g. No bromate was added after 19% of the TFE had been polymerized.

a total of 14.1 kg TFE was reacted.

The reaction was 10% longer than if the reaction had not slowed down.

The polymer properties are given in Tables 1 and 2. The total reaction time was 61 minutes. The product had poor stretch performance.

This Example shows that if the reaction is not slowed down according to the invention, the product stretch performance is inferior.

Comparative Run C

The polykettle described in Example 1 was charged with 20 kg demineralized water, 600 g paraffin wax, 13 g C-8 dispersant, and 10 g succinic acid. After a tetrafluoroethylene pressure of 2.75×10⁶ Pa was obtained, 120 ml ammonium persulfate solution (1.0 g/l) was added at 100 ml/min, at 75° C. After 0.9 kg tetrafluoroethylene had reacted, a solution of 45 g additional C-8 in 1000 ml water at 50 ml/min was added. The temperature was maintained at 75° C. After 14.1 kg tetrafluoroethylene had reacted, the feed was stopped and the polykettle was allowed to react down to 1.72×10⁶ Pa before venting. Fine powder was obtained after processing as in Example 1.

The polymer properties are given in Tables 1 and 2. The total reaction time was 123 min. The stretch performance was sensitive to the lubricant level and stretch rate.

This Example shows that with the use of a commonly used initiator, such as ammonium persulfate, the resin performance deteriorates at higher lubricant level and lower stretch rate.

EXAMPLE 4

Example 1 was repeated, except that:

4.0 g potassium bromate was precharged

0.5 ml perfluorobutylethylene was also precharged

The total sodium bisulfite added was 1.44 g. No bisulfite was added after 32% of the TFE had been polymerized. The reaction was 91% longer than if the raction had not slowed down.

The polymer properties are given in Tables 1 and 2. The total reaction time was 139 minutes. The polymer had satisfactory stretch properties.

EXAMPLE 5

Example 1 was repeated, except that:

20.5 kg of demineralized water was used

10 g succinic acid was used

1 ml Reagent Grade hydrochloric acid was used

agitation RPM was 70

the sodium bisulfite solution was added until 3.2 kg TFE had been polymerized. Total bisulfite added was 0.43 g.

total TFE reacted was 11.4 kg. No bisulfite was added after 28% of the total TFE had been polymerized. The reaction was 329% longer than if the reaction had not slowed down.

The polymer properties are given in Tables 1 and 2. The total reaction time was 123 minutes. The stretch performance of the polymer was excellent.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________                                    Comparative Runs                                           Ex. 1                                                                              Ex. 2                                                                              Ex. 3                                                                              Ex. 4                                                                              Ex. 5                                                                              A   B   C                                       __________________________________________________________________________     RDPS, micron                                                                              0.283                                                                              0.250                                                                              0.232                                                                              0.265                                                                              0.245                                                                              0.278                                                                              0.246                                                                              0.252                                   SSG        2.160                                                                              2.160                                                                              2.164                                                                              2.154                                                                              2.159                                                                              2.176                                                                              2.165                                                                              2.166                                   Specific Surface                                                                          6.7 6.8 7.4 6.4 6.5 7.7 --  7.1                                     Area, m.sup.2 /g                                                               Rheometer Pressure,                                                                       399 420 492 325 373 343 345 390                                     kg/cm.sup.2 (RR = 400:1)                                                       Stress Relaxation                                                                         700 615 570 615 585 210 --  555                                     Time (seconds)                                                                 __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     In the Table, the numbers show the % uniformity of stretch at the              conditions                                                                     described and the letter indicates surface smoothness at the conditions        shown.                                                                                                      Comparative Runs                                               Ex. 1                                                                             Ex. 2                                                                             Ex. 3                                                                              Ex. 4                                                                             Ex. 5                                                                             A  B   C                                          __________________________________________________________________________     Uniformity of stretch                                                                       96A                                                                               80A                                                                               88A 93B                                                                               92A                                                                               D  D   78B                                        at lubricant loading of                                                        17% and stretch rate of                                                        22% per second (1)                                                             20% Lubricant                                                                               91A                                                                               93A                                                                               91A 80C                                                                               92A                                                                               D  D   66C                                        100%                                                                               per second (2)                                                             17% Lubricant                                                                               92A                                                                               88A                                                                               93A 97B                                                                               93A                                                                               67C                                                                               70C 97A                                        100%                                                                               per second (2)                                                             17% Lubricant                                                                               79B                                                                               75A                                                                               77B 86C                                                                               81B                                                                               D  D   D                                          12% per second (2)                                                             13.6%                                                                              Lubricant                                                                               89A                                                                               78A                                                                               91A 75C                                                                               92A                                                                               55C                                                                               D   80B                                        100%                                                                               per second (2)                                                             __________________________________________________________________________      (1) 1000% total stretch                                                        (2) 1500% total stretch                                                        A = smooth even appearance                                                     B = slightly uneven appearance                                                 C = uneven appearance                                                          D = specimen severed (broke)                                              

I claim:
 1. A process for preparing tetrafluoroethylene resins by polymerizing tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous medium in the presence of a substantially non-telogenic anionic surfactant present in an amount which maintains colloidal particles of polymerization product in dispersed form, said process being carried out at 65-100° C. by contacting tetrafluoroethylene in the presence of at least one polymerization initiator consisting of a redox couple of xBrO₃ /yHSO₃ wherein x and y are each independently selected from hydrogen, ammonium, alkali or alkaline earth metal ions, where either the bromate or the bisulfite is added as precharge and the other added intermittently or continuously during the polymerization and where the last addition occurs before the end point so that the reaction slows down and the total reaction time is at least 40% longer in comparison with a reaction which does not slow down.
 2. The process of claim 1 where a small amount of at least one copolymerizable fluorinated ethylenically unsaturated comonomer is present, said amount not being sufficient to cause the resulting polymer to become melt-fabricable. 